GRAPHIC IMAGES: Horrific pictures show squalid conditions 15 dogs were forced to live in

THESE horrifying pictures show the squalid and cramped conditions 15 inbred dogs were forced to live in.

Horrific pictures show the squalid and cramped conditions 15 dogs were forced to live in [RSPCA/CAVENDISH]

The 'feral' animals ran wild around a tiny semi-detached house as they were kept inside by their owners and had to battle for their own space.

The cross-breed terriers were locked in rooms where they regularly fought each other.

The animals were so desperate to escape the rooms that they scratched through the plaster of the walls.

A tip off led to RSPCA officials searching the property in June during which a dogfight broke out between animals which left one mauled to death.

The cross-breed terriers were locked in rooms where they regularly fought each other [RSPCA/CAVENDISH]

This was an awful situation I had to deal with and one which I hope I never come across again in my career

Inspector Vicki McDonald from the RSPCA

After the owners fled in a car RSPCA officers with police entered the house and found "almost every surface" was covered in dog faeces and urine.

The body of a dead dog was also found inside.

None of the animals were neutered, castrated or vaccinated, which fuelled their aggression and led to the large number.

The investigation featured in Channel 5 documentary The Dog Rescuers.

Details emerged as the Peter Higgins, 53, and Ann Warren, 38, from Tyldesley, near Wigan, Greater Manchester were banned from keeping animals for life.

The pair admitted cruelty offences but the couple, who are both on benefits, walked free after claiming they had a condition known as a "animal hoarding."

All but one of the pack has been deemed suitable for rehoming since being rescued and treated for injuries from previous fights.

It costs the taxpayers £40,000 including £10,000 in vets fees. The last dog is still dangerously aggressive and will be put down.

Inspector Vicki McDonald from the RSPCA said the dogs owned by Higgins and Warren would never have been aggressive as they were had it not been for the suffering caused by the couple.

RSPCA officers found almost every surface covered in dog faeces and urine [CAVENDISH/RSPCA]

She said: "I just hope this case acts as a warning to to anyone considering keeping animals in this manner. This was an awful situation I had to deal with and one which I hope I never come across again in my career.

"The way those dogs behaved aggressively was due to the fact they were kept in those squalid conditions by these people. These weren't naturally aggressive dogs - they just didn't know what it was like to be on a lead and not to be in that house."

Prosecutor Tony Stock said the animals were well-fed but the appalling conditions which the animals were kept in which led to the investigation.

He added: "When Insp McDonald attended the property there was a delay in them answering the door and once she got inside frantic if fairly hopeless attempts had been made to clean up inside the premises.

"When she got inside she saw numerous cross-bred dogs running loose. The smell was overpowering with faeces and urine on the floor and nearly every level surface.

"Higgins told the inspector there were ten dogs but we know there were in fact 15. The inspector and vet were so shocked by the conditions both described them as among the worst they had seen animals housed - and the vet has been working for 30 years."